Constipation

Constipation is when you have difficulty passing stools and experience a decrease in the frequency of stools. Constipation can be accompanied by gas, stomach cramps, or pressure. It is a chemo side effect that can often be managed by diet or by medication.

Your doctor will want to make sure that you are having regular bowel movements during chemo. Chronic constipation can lead to something called stool impaction. This occurs when the stool gets stuck and cannot pass through the colon or rectum. Impaction can be a very serious complication of constipation. If it occurs, your doctor or other healthcare provider will need to remove the impacted stool.

Keep track of your bowel movement schedule so you can learn which lifestyle measures work best for you. If you miss a bowel movement, try increasing your fluid intake or adjusting your diet. Call your doctor if your bowels have not moved in 2 days; your doctor may choose to prescribe a laxative or other medication.

Treatment

If you have tried the above lifestyle changes and still experience constipation, your doctor may prescribe laxatives. Laxatives are available in many forms, including tablets, gum, powder, granules, or as a liquid.

Let your care team know if you have signs or symptoms of constipation. Ask your healthcare provider which type of laxative or stool softener will work best for you. As with all treatments, speak with your doctor and health care team about the risks and benefits of treatments for constipation.

Feeling very confident about getting through chemo, Zelda meets regularly with a nutritionist recommended by her doctor.

She drinks a lot of fluids on her chemo treatment days and between chemo sessions.

She eats high-fiber foods as directed.

The week after receiving her fifth chemo treatment, Zelda starts to have cramps and constipation. After she is unable to move her bowels for 3 days, she calls her doctor.

Her doctor prescribes a laxative, which helps right away.

*This is a fictional case study based on chemo patient experiences. Your experience is unique. Your doctor and care team will create a plan that will best treat your type of cancer and manage your chemo side effect.

The Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide can help you understand your chance for infection

Infection can be a serious result of chemo. Find out the factors that affect your chance of infection. Simply answer a few questions, and then print your results to share with your doctor.

Survivor Story

Constipation is difficulty passing stool. It can also refer to a decrease in the normal frequency of bowel movements. It may be accompanied by gas, pain, or pressure in the abdomen.

A change in a person's condition caused by taking a drug, using a medical device, or through another type of treatment.

A large, dry mass of feces that can develop in the rectum. Chronic constipation can cause stool impaction. The stool can become so hard that it cannot come out of the body. Watery stool may seep past the dry stool, causing diarrhea.

A sign or indicator of a disease or illness. For example, a fever can be a symptom of an infection.